Chihana seeks recognition in Aford

Newly elected Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president Enoch Chihana says the rival faction in the party, which sought a court injunction to nullify his election, should first recognise him before talking of fresh elections.

Former acting president of Aford, Godfrey Shawa and others, obtained an injunction to stop Chihana and his newly elected team from transacting any business in the name of Aford.

Aford held its convention on September 5 and 6 in Mzuzu which, however, ended in commotion after some disagreements.

However, the Chihana camp went ahead with the convention after appointing civil society activist Moses Mkandawire to chair it.

On the other hand, the Shawa camp went to court to protest and High Court Judge Dingiswayo Madise granted them an injunction restraining Chihana and his committee from transacting any business in the name of Aford.

Madise ordered for filing of inter-parties summons within seven days from the date of the order (September 11 2013) and that the summons should be heard within 14 days.

But in an interview on Monday, Chihana asked the Shawa camp to vacate the injunction first if they want dialogue.

He also expressed surprise that the first defendant in the injunction was Aford, wondering whether the complainants have also sued themselves.

But Dan Msowoya from the Shawa camp said Aford was put because Chihana is claiming to transact in its name.

On the demand to lift the injunction first, Msowoya said it has nothing to do with the dialogue because the injunction was taken to nullify the elections that illegally took place after Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) officials had left.